I am so sorry as to what is happening to you. Prayers to you.
“Make it hurt”...well, do it to those who you hate first.
Not long ago, and for a two year period, our county was in a bit of a financial crisis and needed to save some funding. We initiated furlough days as a way to recoup some of the needed funding. There was NO interruption to public services. Prior to enacting the furlough days, we met with all employees (unions and nonunion) and carefully explained what and why we needed the furloughs. The process worked out very well for BOTH sides and today the country AND the employees are better off. It does/can work if everyone pulls TOGETHER.